Following a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has invited opposition leaders to a meeting on Wednesday to draw up terms for a national dialogue.
More than 20 politicians who contested July’s presidential election were invited, two of whom – Lovemore Madhuku and Noah Manyika – said they would attend.
It would be the first meeting between Mnangagwa and opponents since he took power from Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Manyika however, said he believed conditions were not yet right for meaningful dialogue, which could only happen if hundreds of people detained during the crackdown were released and soldiers withdrawn from streets and checkpoints.
“It can only take place if, as the president promised upon his return from his overseas trip, the heads of those who have been responsible for
brutalising citizens roll,” Manyika said.
The main opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has not given a response to the call for dialogue as at the time of reporting.
On Tuesday, a nationwide strike by public sector teachers started amidst doubts, as some stayed at home while others attended school but did not teach amid fears of further intimidation.
The teachers are demanding better pay and working conditions as well as to be paid in dollars, due to the inflation in the country.
Zimbabwe currently has over 100,000 public sector teachers.